In politics, too, the other is a good.

Julián CarrónLa Repubblica

4/10/2013

Dear Editor,

In trying to live Easter in the context of the most recent events in the Church, fromBenedict XVI’s resignation to the dramatic entrance of Pope Francis, I could not help butthink about Italy’s dramatic situation, and the difficulty of escaping from the paralysis thathas been created.

Much has been written about this by people whose expertise in politics makes them farmore qualified than I to speak. I have no strategic solution to suggest, but would like to offer afew thoughts in the attempt to collaborate for the good of a nation to which I feel a bond formany reasons.

It seems to me that the situation of deadlock is the result of the perception of thepolitical adversary as an enemy whose influence must be neutralized or at least reduced to theminimum. The European history of the last century has given us sufficient documentation ofanalogous attempts by the various ideologies to eliminate each other, causing immensesuffering to entire populations.

But the outcome of these efforts has led to a clear conclusion: it is impossible toreduce the other to zero. This evidence, together with the desire for peace that cannot beerased from the heart of each person, suggested the first steps of the miracle called a unitedEurope. What enabled the fathers of Europe to find the willingness to speak to each other, tobuild something together, even after the Second World War? The awareness of theimpossibility of eliminating the adversary made them less presumptuous, less impermeable todialogue, aware of their own need; they began to give space to the possibility that the others,in their diversity, could be perceived as a resource, a good.

Now, thinking of the present, I say that unless we accept the elementary experiencethat the other is a good and not an obstacle to the fullness of our ‘I’, in politics as well as inhuman and social relations, it will be difficult to emerge from the situation in which we findourselves.

Acknowledging the other is the true victory for each of us. The first to be called totravel this road, as happened in the past, are precisely the Catholic politicians, whatever theirparty. But unfortunately, they too often seem more defined by party alignments than by selfawarenessof their ecclesial experience and the desire for the common good. Yet preciselytheir experience of being “members of each other” (Saint Paul) should enable them to viewthe other as part of the definition of self and thus of a good.

These days many have watched the Church and been surprised at how she was willingto change, the better to respond to the challenges of the present. In the first place, we haveseen a Pope who, at the apex of his power, made an absolutely unheard of gesture of freedom,amazing everyone, so that another man with more energy could guide the Church. Then wewitnessed the arrival of Pope Francis, who from the first moment has surprised us withgestures of disarming simplicity that are capable of reaching each person’s heart.

In recent years, the Church has been hit by not a few vicissitudes, beginning with thepedophilia scandal; she seemed disoriented and adrift, and yet even in facing thesedifficulties, her fascinating difference shone out.

How can the life of the Church contribute to facing the current situation in Italy? I donot believe it is by intervening in the political arena as one of the many competing parts andopinions. The contribution of the Church is much more radical. If the substance of those whoserve this great work that is politics lies only in politics, there is not much to hope for.Lacking any other sure foundation, they will necessarily grasp at politics and personal powerand, in the case in question, will see conflict as the only chance for survival. But politics isnot sufficient unto itself. This has never been as clear as it is today.

In her poverty of a reality full of limits, the Church continues to offer people, preciselyin these days, the one true contribution, the one for which she exists, and Pope Francisreminds us of it continually: the annunciation of the Risen Christ. He is the only one whofully answers the expectations of the human heart, to the point of making a Pope free enoughto resign for the good of his people.

Without a real experience of positivity, able to embrace everyone, it is not possible tostart anew. This is the testimony that all Christians are called to give, beginning with thoseengaged in politics, together with every person of good will, as their contribution to unblockthe situation: the affirmation of the value of the other and the common good above all otherinterests of party.

Julián CarrónThe author is the President of the Fraternity of Communion and Liberation